Butterbuns (kitten)

[Nikki2291]

I'm not to sure about this picture so I decided to post it on here for comments. I blurred out the edges of the picture because there was some minor distractions. I think it might be a little overexposed on one side of the picture too...I just got a camera where I can manually set everything, so If you know what I could do better that would be great. Thanks in advance.

[tirediron]

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I blurred out the edges of the picture because there was some minor distractions. I think it might be a little overexposed on one side of the picture
<snipped<

So you already recognize some of the issues with your image; that's good. One of the big advantages of using pets as subjects (over wild animals) is that within limits, they can be posed. Therefore, rather than taking a picture of your kitten where he/she happened to be, coerce him/her into being your subject and take a photograph.

Other than those points which you've already mentioned, there's also the matter of the background which, while soft, still has enough focus to be distracting. You've done a good job of the eyes this time, they're much sharper, and have good catchlights. The use of a reflector to even up the exposure to camera left would have helped as well.

Keep up the good work!

~John

[Nikki2291]

Thank-you very much for your comments. I'm not to sure what a reflector is but I know I don't have one... I am going to try to bribe them, with food probably. I know my puppy is much easier to pose then BB...

[tirediron]

Thank-you very much for your comments. I'm not to sure what a reflector is but I know I don't have one... I am going to try to bribe them, with food probably. I know my puppy is much easier to pose then BB...

I'll bet you do; look around! A reflector is quite simply anything that will reflect light; even a large piece of white paper will work well. I buy the big sheets of white and light yellow posterboard from Michael's type stores. That way I can cut them up, shape them etc. As an experiment, try just playing around with some white paper and seeing what a difference it can make.

[Nikki2291]

Ooohhh....ok...I will try that now, as soon as I hunt around, do i put it behind my subject or off to the side, or what?...lol...

[Marko]

This is a cute shot and I agree with most of what tirediron has said.
...except the part about the eyes. The cat's eyes should be sharper than this IMO.

[Nikki2291]

This is a cute shot and I agree with most of what tirediron has said.
...except the part about the eyes. The cat's eyes should be sharper than this IMO.

Yes your right the eyes are really soft. Although I think one eye is more sharper then the other, is that just me? How could I get the eyes to come out. I had to use flash because there was almost no light, so I couldn't get very close to him or I would blind the poor little guy.

[Marko]

Yes your right the eyes are really soft. Although I think one eye is more sharper then the other, is that just me? How could I get the eyes to come out. I had to use flash because there was almost no light, so I couldn't get very close to him or I would blind the poor little guy.

You needed to FOCUS on the eye, not the nose or ears which happens when people only use autofocus without really seeing where the autocus locks (or it's dark in the room).
AND you need to use a shutter speed that will freeze kitty (since many kittens have sharp jerky movements) - I'd recommend 1/125 of a second or faster.

hope that helps,

marko

[Nikki2291]

You needed to FOCUS on the eye, not the nose or ears which happens when people only use autofocus without really seeing where the autocus locks (or it's dark in the room).
AND you need to use a shutter speed that will freeze kitty (since many kittens have sharp jerky movements) - I'd recommend 1/125 of a second or faster.

hope that helps,

marko

Thank-you...I was only using 1/60 of a second...lol...I think my camera has manual focus too but I haven't played around with that. I was just scared that the flash would blind him.. You guys are very patient with me, thank-you, I'm a slow learner...